SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL TEXT AND CONTEXT: CONTEMPORARY BRITISH AND IRISH LITERATURE PROGRAMME

Transcription

1 SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL TEXT AND CONTEXT: CONTEMPORARY BRITISH AND IRISH LITERATURE PROGRAMME Dates: 6 th 18 th August 2018 Times: 9.30am 5pm (variable schedule, plus evening excursions and events) Programme Administrator: Lauren Pope (suiss@ed.ac.uk) Programme Directors: Dr Hannah Tweed and Dr Calum Rodger (suissdir@ed.ac.uk) Academic Units: 12 SCOTCAT / 2.5 US Credits / 6 ECTS Credits Course Description: This two-week course offers developing scholars a supportive environment in which to further their research and writing skills in Contemporary British and Irish Literature. Students have a unique opportunity to develop their own critical analysis by attending a range of lectures from contemporary literature specialists from across the UK and Ireland. The lectures will be pitched high, and lecturers are advised that all students will be familiar with the texts at the time of lecture. SUISS tutors, who are published academics and experienced teachers, lead the students in two-hour group seminars and a series of individualised mentoring sessions. In addition, our students will have the opportunity to attend private readings by well-known British authors, many of whom will be reading at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August. Students have the opportunity to attend a range of additional events, which include film screenings, poetry performances, and ceilidhs (traditional Scottish dancing). The Text and Context: Contemporary British and Irish Literature programme offers: 9 Workshop Seminars: SUISS tutors lead small group seminars tailored to the set texts and engaging with a range of literary theory and secondary material. Seminars are two hours long. 9 Lectures: students attend lectures to gain perspectives of critical analysis, cultural and publishing contexts, and close reading of the set texts. Editorial groups: according to shared interests, students discuss their work with their peers in an informal, interactive environment. Suggested Reading: Core texts and lectures for the 2017 Contemporary Literature summer programme, on which the tuition will be based, are listed below in order of study. David Greig, Europe Alan Moore, V for Vendetta Zadie Smith, White Teeth Leontia Flynn and Sinéad Morrissey: poetry selection* Martin McDonagh, The Cripple of Inishmaan Jeanette Winterson, Written on the Body Caryl Phillips, The Nature of Blood 1

2 Vahni Capildeo: poetry selection* China Miéville short stories (from Three Moments of an Explosion) *NB: Students are not required to purchase volumes of poetry specific reading selections for these lectures and seminars will be circulated to all students in advance. Attendance: Attendance for all seminars and lectures is mandatory. Contact Hours/Academic Credit: The SUISS credit scheme is based on a combination of contact teaching hours, independent study and formal assessment. SUISS students gain credit, therefore, by attending lectures and seminars, pursuing their studies in their own time, and completing written assessments. These courses are accredited through the University of Edinburgh Credit Awarding Body (SCQF) and can be transferred into the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and to North American universities. This credit can be sought at two levels: SCQF8 (equivalent to junior honours [1-3 years of study]) SCQF10 (equivalent to senior honours [4 or more years of study]) This two-tier system allows SUISS students to pursue the same credit as any other student but at a level appropriate to the stage of their studies at their home institution. Credit for the 2-week course is formalised as follows: Contact Teaching Hours: 34 Expected Independent Study Hours: 86 Total Hours: 120 SCOTCAT Credit Weighting: 12 points (1 SCOTCAT point = 10 hour workload) Assessment: The Contemporary Literature course is assessed via a class participation mark (based on general engagement and a short class presentation) and a research essay the latter submitted two weeks after the end of term. SCQF8 (1st-3rd year undergraduates) Research essay (2000 words) 70% Class participation 30% SCQF10 (4th year undergraduate and above) Research essay (3000 words) 70% Class participation 30% 2

3 Learning Outcomes: SCQF8 (1st-3rd year undergraduates). The course will enable students to: Demonstrate a broad, critically and historically informed understanding of contemporary British and Irish literature and culture Articulate and communicate their response to the material studied on the course both orally and in the form of essays Develop organisational and analytical skills so as to be able to present and argue a case cogently and effectively Show familiarity with contemporary methods of information retrieval and apply them to good effect in their written work SCQF10 (4th year undergraduate and above). The course will enable students to: Show a sophisticated knowledge of the cultural assumptions underpinning contemporary British and Irish literature Articulate the nature and the terms of aesthetic innovation within the work of several contemporary novelists Apply their knowledge of cultural context and theoretical terminology to the analysis of specific texts from the period Express their views competently in speech and in writing, to frame arguments both concisely and at length, and to conform to appropriate scholarly conventions in the presentation of their work. Show familiarity with contemporary methods of information retrieval and apply them to good effect in their written work 3

4 Contemporary British and Irish Literature: Sample Tutor Schedule Seminar Structure Seminars intend to follow this general schedule: 11:15-11:25 Reflections on the Lecture Group discussion reflecting on lecture. 11:25-11:40 Student Presentations Student gives presentation on any aspect of one of the chosen texts, followed by group Q&A. 11:40-11:55/12:00 Group work and discussion 12:00-12:10 Whole class discussion, expansion of terminology/theory 12:10-12:20 Break (optional) 12:20-12:30/12:40 (depending on seminar) audio/visual component View/listen to interviews with authors, poets reading relevant work, filmed extracts from plays. 12:40-12:55 Microscope Sometimes in groups, sometimes as a class, close read a passage or poem or focus on dramaturgy of the scene just watched. Discuss character, form, performance elements of text. 12:55-13:10 Panorama Group discussion of findings, linked in to the wider contexts of the course and any points of correspondence/contrast that strike them with their own countries literatures or other literature they are familiar with. Questions of canonicity and literature as a shaping force of national identity often come up here, and how these tussle with the specificity/singularity of any text/writer/reader. 13:10-13:15 Conclusion Brief discussion of the set text for the next class, and confirm presenters are prepared. 4

5 Reading List and Inspirations While the preparatory reading list will follow the lecture schedule below we ll also supplement it with a wide range of other texts that will be provided as handouts and uploaded to Dropbox as we go: David Greig, Europe Alan Moore, V for Vendetta Zadie Smith, White Teeth Leontia Flynn and Sinéad Morrissey: poetry selection* Martin McDonagh, The Cripple of Inishmaan Jeanette Winterson, Written on the Body Caryl Phillips, The Nature of Blood Vahni Capildeo: poetry selection* China Miéville short stories (from Three Moments of an Explosion) We ll also take inspiration from the many trips, readings, and events scheduled: Week 1 Arthur s Seat Hike Author reading EIF: Performance of Ionesco s Rhinocéros Week 2 EIBF: Loud Poets Author reading Farewell Party Otherwise, Edinburgh is an exceptionally vibrant city that boasts a flotilla of exhibitions, galleries, literary events, museums, buildings, libraries, bars, theatres and natural features for you to gain inspiration from. Getting out of the city is highly recommended. Scotland s unique highlands and islands are a must-see (even in the rain). Tutors are happy to share ideas in class! You are also a direct source of inspiration: Each student will be asked to give the group a short presentation on an aspect of one of the set texts. We ll set up a student library on Dropbox for students and tutors to add links to books, films, websites, interviews, artwork and other resources that keeps us working, from grammar tips to writer interviews and secondary criticism. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact the Directors, Dr Hannah Tweed and Dr Calum Rodger, at suissdir@ed.ac.uk. 5